posted on Jun, 7 2005 @ 09:16 PM
Army, I have to disagree.
RPM isn't an important factor simply because any rifles that fire at 600~700rpm is fine, the M8 fires at 750rpm is I rememeber correctly, the M16A2
fires at 850rpm in 3 round burst.
Accuracy on the M8 was reported to be much better, and since it's smaller than the M16, that's quite impressive.
It's durability is alot higher, it's barrel lasts longer than the A2.
It actually converts better to more specialized rifles but doesn't support all the fancy add-on gadgets for the AR-15/M16 family
It's reliability is MUCH higher since it uses a short-stroke gas system, AK-47 style.
I don't considder it to be ugly, the black version makes it look good, but that's personal taste and an inrelavant point, it seems negative reviews
are due to not anyone likes the way it looks, it's based on the G36, one of the best assault rifles ever made.
It's only bad point is it has 5.56mm rounds rather then a more powerful round, but in most cases, shot placement is more important than the stopping
power.
I think the XM8 is not going anywhere, people will get used to the looks of it just like with the M16 back in the day, i'm sure it will have some
bumps in the road before the M8A1 is fielded just like the M16, but probably nothing as severe as the M16.
Judging this rifle on it's looks is just plain chidish IMO.